Team Little Rock,
Effective immediately, per the Secretary of Defense’s direction, and to the greatest extent possible, all individuals on Little Rock AFB will wear protective face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of physical distance, in public areas, Commissary, Base Exchange, or work centers. This requirement does not apply in a Service member's or Service family member's personal residence on a military installation. This directive applies to the following individuals:
- Total Force Military Personnel
- DoD Civilian Employees (Appropriated Fund and NAF) – strongly encouraged until standardized masks are furnished
- Family Members
- DoD contractors
- All other individuals on DoD property
TLR leadership is in the process of procuring locally-produced masks, that are compliant with Arkansas Department of Health design recommendations, for military personnel and DoD civilian employees. Interim cloth face covers are approved until standardized ones become available. These interim face covers should adhere to the following guidance:
Airmen will adhere to five elements of military professional standards when wearing cloth face covers in uniform- neatness, cleanliness, safety, uniformity, and military image.
- Commanders will ensure face coverings worn by uniformed military members are conservative, professional, and in keeping with dignity and respect.
- Medical PPE will NOT be issued for this purpose.
- As an interim measure, all individuals are encouraged to fashion face coverings from household items or common materials, such as clean T-shirts or other clean cloths that can cover the nose and mouth area. See attached fact sheet or visits https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html to learn how to fashion your own covering.
- Airmen will cease wearing personally procured masks in uniform once standardized covers are available.
- Security checkpoints may require the lowering of face covers to verify identification. Abide by all instructions.
All personnel should continue to maintain six feet between themselves and others whenever possible. The cloth face covering is not a substitute for physical distancing. The cloth face covering is to help prevent those who are asymptomatic from transmitting, more than protecting oneself from potentially contracting the virus. Please, continue to check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information (https://www.cdc.gov/).
Please see attached for further guidance from Secretary Esper and HAF/A1. If you have further questions or concerns, please up channel them through your chain of command.
We are in this together!
Respectfully,
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs